A clash of narratives has erupted between Nigeria’s biggest airline, Air Peace, and former Edo State governor, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, over a missed flight and allegations of extortion.
The incident took place on the 11th of June, 2025, at one of the Nigerian airport. Oshiomhole, who failed to board his scheduled flight, accused Air Peace of exploiting passengers and overbooking the flight. But the airline is not backing down.
Instead of staying silent, Air Peace went on the offensive. The airline is calling on the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to release CCTV footage showing Oshiomhole’s arrival at the terminal.
The airline dismissed his claims outright and took issue with what it described as deliberate misinformation.
According to Air Peace: “Our attention has been drawn to the deliberate falsehood being peddled by Senator Adams Oshiomole against Air Peace.
The senator lied blatantly when he accused Air Peace of extorting its passengers. We challenge Senator Oshiomole to bring one piece of evidence of a passenger who was extorted.”
The airline insisted that all passengers onboard had valid tickets purchased before check-in closed.
“None of our staff engaged in any form of extortion. No tickets were sold after the check-in for that flight had closed. Every passenger on board purchased their ticket prior to the closure of check-in.”
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Air Peace also pushed back on Oshiomhole’s claim that the flight was overbooked.
“Again, our flight was never overbooked as some of his videos alleged. The aircraft took off with over thirty (30) empty seats. It would have been in our interest to carry Oshiomhole and those others who missed their flights for lateness on this flight, instead of flying many empty seats, but we will never sacrifice our strict on-time performance for monetary gains.”
The airline accused Oshiomhole of causing disorder in the terminal.
“It’s absolutely false that he was offered preferential treatment and that he was fighting for others. Senator Oshiomole was not fighting for anyone. He came to the airport late and was told that he was late. He then began to foment trouble.”
“He climbed onto the baggage conveyor belt, disrupting the check-in process for other flights. Additionally, he blocked the entrance gate, preventing access to the terminal. Throughout this time, he also actively incited other passengers against the airline.”
Air Peace is urging FAAN to release surveillance footage to clear the air: “We urge FAAN to make public the CCTV footage from the moment Senator Oshiomhole entered the airport, so Nigerians can see what truly transpired. His accusation of extortion is highly defamatory, and his behaviour was aggressive, inappropriate, regrettable, and, above all, disgraceful.”
As the back-and-forth continues, the public is left waiting on FAAN’s response and the footage that could settle the dispute once and for all.